Tigers hammer Rockies 11-5

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez connects for a three-run home run during the fifth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Colorado Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau, right, is congratulated by teammate Wilin Rosario after scoring during the second inning of an interleague baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez looks skyward after his three-run home run during the fifth inning of an interleague baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Alex Avila had three hits and drove in two runs and Ian Kinsler three hits and an RBI for the Tigers, who scored in all eight innings they batted, had 16 hits and got at least a hit from each batter in the starting lineup.

Rick Porcello (13-5) got the win to tie teammate Max Scherzer for the American League lead in victories. He struck out a season-high 10 on the same day that newly acquired David Price joined his new teammates and a starting rotation that also includes Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez.

Porcello allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings, walking two.

Cabrera’s 17th home run, a tape measure solo shot with two outs in the third, put Detroit up for good, 3-2. The drive to center field was estimated by ESPN Stats & Info at 445 feet.

The Tigers stretched their lead to 5-2 in the fourth on Avila’s run-scoring double and an RBI single by Eugenio Suarez.

Victor Martinez’s three-run homer in the fifth broke the game open. He drove Matzek’s first pitch into the seats in left field for his 22nd home run — after Cabrera was walked intentionally. It ended Matzek’s night.

UP NEXT:

Sanchez (7-5, 3.57) goes against Jorge De La Rosa (11-6, 4.20) of the Rockies in Sunday’s finale of the three-game series. It will be the 19th consecutive start by a left-hander for Colorado. The major league record (since 1914) is 20 straight by the 1982 Kansas City Royals. Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau is hitting .316 (6 for 19) against Sanchez with two RBIs.

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Colorado: Right fielder Carlos Gonzalez didn’t play Saturday night after re-aggravating a right ankle sprain when he crashed into the wall making a catch of a foul ball in the fifth inning of Friday night’s 5-2 loss. Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Gonzalez felt much better on Saturday and that there’s a good chance that he won’t have to go on the disabled list.

Detroit: Outfielder Andy Dirks is recovering from lower back surgery in late March and began an injury rehab assignment at Class-A West Michigan on Friday night, going 1 for 3.

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